FAQs

Parents' Frequently Asked Questions

RISD's exceptional
education in fine art and design is complemented by a wide
range of liberal arts courses that emphasize critical
thinking and creative problem-solving. Students are required to complete 42 credits in the liberal arts constituting almost a third of the coursework toward the BFA. A concentration in English; History, Philosophy + Social Sciences (HPSS); or History of Art + Visual Culture (HAVC) can lend new perspectives to any studio major. Students may also cross-register for classes at neighboring Brown University for foreign language and advanced science and math classes at no additional cost.

Yes, RISD offers a variety of engaging educational programs for children,
teens and families, ranging from Continuing Education (RISD|CE) classes
and certificate programs for youths to Free-for-All Saturdays
at the RISD Museum that include hands-on activities, performances, videos and special
gallery guests.

For
high school students considering a college-level art degree, RISD offers a six-week residential Pre-College Summer Program that provides a comprehensive introduction to the college art school experience.
Students follow a college-like studio curriculum and live in RISD residence halls in a full-immersion encounter with art and design
education at the highest level.

As parents of RISD students, you are invited
to participate in your sons’ and daughters’ art and design
education in a variety of ways. One way to get involved is by giving
to the RISD Annual Fund,
which
helps ensure that RISD students, regardless of their financial
means, are taught in state-of-the-art facilities by talented faculty. Tuition
and fees cover only 64 percent of the actual cost of each student’s
education. The rest is made up from income earned on RISD’s endowment,
auxiliary enterprises and, most importantly, from generous contributions
from parents, alumni and friends of the college. For more information, visit the Annual Fund website »

For the third year running, US News & World Report announced that RISD has topped its rankings of the best Fine Arts Schools, which looks at graduate programs in art and design throughout the country. In earning the top spot among peer
graduate programs, RISD edged out both Yale and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Taking part in an internship is not a requirement for graduation but students are strongly encouraged to participate in internships during their time at RISD. In addition to offering career advice, the Career Center assists students in finding internship opportunities. For more information, visit the Career Center website »

With nearly 400 computers available across campus, RISD does not require students to own a computer during their Foundation year. However, most students find having their own computer more convenient.

Once students declare a major, some departments require the purchase of a computer, based on their specifications. So if your son/daughter wants to have their own computer during the Foundation year, it’s best either to bring a computer from home, or purchase an inexpensive one.

Students majoring in Architecture, Furniture Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture and Photography must buy the laptop hardware and software package specified by the major department beginning the fall semester of sophomore year. All students declaring majors in the academic programs above will receive detailed system specifications, ordering instructions and program policy information during the late spring /early summer.

Many RISD alumni choose to apply the critical
thinking and creative problem-solving skills they learned at RISD to a
wide range of other pursuits. In addition to starting their own
businesses, RISD graduates have gone on to run schools and theaters;
teach, work as policy analysts and research robotics; and become chefs,
doctors, lawyers, therapists, accountants, politicians and pilots, among
other professions.

A registered nurse is on duty Monday-Friday, 8:30am-8:30pm; Saturday,
9am-5pm; and certain holidays, 12-7:30pm. Health services is closed on
Sunday. A physician is on call every day and is in the office for one
"sick call" hour each weekday.

If there's an emergency when Health
Services is closed, students are instructed to call the
Department of Public Safety, located within the freshman Residence Hall
complex. A trained officer will then respond with treatment or arrange
for transportation to an appropriate medical facility. Questions may be
directed to Health Services (401 454-6625) or Public Safety (401
454-6376 or EMERGENCY: 401-454-6666). For more information, visit the Health Services website »

Providence is a historic, arts-oriented city with several colleges, interesting architecture, diverse neighborhoods and a wide range of housing options. It's small enough to be easy to navigate, but big enough to have a lot going on. Students can also attend events at neighboring Brown University or cross-register for classes. Plus it's an hour south of Boston and three hours north of New York City, with frequent bus and train service, so it's relatively easy to get to one of these larger cities for shows, concerts and other activities.

RISD and Brown have adjacent campuses on Providence's College Hill and students at
either school may cross-register for classes at the other at no
extra cost. RISD students typically turn to Brown for a broad array of
foreign language and advanced science and math classes, all of which
satisfy RISD’s liberal arts requirements. Students also have access to
Brown’s extensive athletic facilities and can supplement activities
available at RISD by attending concerts, lectures, theatrical
performances and the like. In addition, the Brown-RISD Dual Degree
Program enables highly motivated undergrads to earn a BFA from RISD and
an AB from Brown in five years. Get more info on the RISD-Brown dual-degree program »

Providence's climate is similar to much of the northeastern seaboard with warm summers, cold winters and fairly high humidity year-round. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean keeps Providence more moderate than many inland locales. January is the coldest month with a mean of 28.7 °F (−1.8 °C) and July is the warmest month with an average of 73.3 °F (22.9 °C), with highs rising to 90 °F (32 °C).

Salary levels vary based on occupation. Some alumni start their own
businesses and earn less in their first year than their classmates who
have chosen to work for larger corporations or firms, so an average
starting salary would not be representative. However, RISD graduates
consistently earn a higher average salary than the published average
salary of liberal arts graduates in their first year out of college. For
more information, contact the Career Center »

The Department of Public Safety's officers patrol the campus on foot,
bicycle and distinctively marked cruisers, and provide service around
the clock to the RISD community. Emergency phones are located inside
each building on campus, and outdoors near parking lots and some
entrances, and connect directly to the Public Safety office. Academic
buildings and residence halls are card-access only.

From 7 pm - 12 am, the RISD Rides
shuttle service operates on a loop every half hour. From 12am to 3:30am shuttles provide
direct service from campus buildings to student residences within a
designated service area in Downcity and the East Side. For more information, visit the Public Safety website »

Based on an annual survey conducted by RISD’s Career Center,
96% of alumni are employed one year after graduation. An additional four
percent are enrolled in a full-time educational program to pursue an
advanced degree. Of the employed alumni, approximately 70% are employed
in positions directly related to their major and 25 percent are employed
in positions indirectly related to their major. Statistics in this
annual survey tend to be similar from year to year. For more information, contact the Career Center »

The Financial Aid office helps families in need of
financial assistance to meet the costs of a RISD education to find the
necessary combination of aid. By helping students to identify
appropriate grants, loans, work study programs and scholarships, the
office works to make it possible for all admitted students to benefit
from attending RISD. For more information, visit the Financial Aid website »

The risd:store carries a wide variety of art supplies; for example, silkscreening, printmaking and etching supplies, decorative paper, drawing paper, mounting boards, bookbinding supplies, and more. They also carry office supplies, film, video and photography supplies, textbooks and convenience items, as well as a large selection of RISD-imprinted clothing and gifts.

The risd:store 3D stocks a wide variety of sculpture supplies as well as general hardware store items. For example, plywood, hardwood, plexi glass, glass and metal rod can be cut to size for next day pickup.

RISD graduates pursue work in a wide variety of sectors, from freelance/entrepreneurial ventures to fine arts studios to commercial work. Each spring, more than 150 different companies come to campus to meet with students and review their portfolios. Companies that have recruited at RISD include: General Motors, Google, Harmonix, JC Penney, Morningstar, Novartis, Swarovski, Target, and many more. For a full list of companies that attended this year's portfolio reviews for each discipline, visit RISD's Career Center »

Student Accounts maintains the tuition billing system for the full-time degree program. This department also receives and records all tuition payments and payments received through various auxiliary campus services. Contact Student Accounts at 401 454-6442.

Finding a job after graduation requires a combination of preparation and persistence. RISD's Career Center
supports graduating students and interested alumni by providing an
annual series of more than 30 seminars, lectures and guest speakers from
various art and design professions. These emphasize skills such as writing an effective resume, preparing a professional portfolio and
handling an interview. Some of the other topics covered
include contracts and copyrights, grant writing and financial
management. Other resources of the Career Center include ArtWorks,
an online job listing service, and several computers with a library of
bookmarked websites for artists and designers. RISD students may also
meet with a career counselor for an individual appointment.
For more information, contact the Career Center »

More FAQs and Facts

For more questions and answers, see these related FAQs.Facts + Figures About RISDGeneral information about Rhode Island School of Design